Maoists Jiri to Lukla?

[Lucy R]

Hello

I read a really dispiriting Lonely Planet Nepal guide yesterday.

It said that most people avoid walking from Jiri to Lukla now:

1. because the views aren't that great
2. because of the Maoists exhorting money

I don't believe point one, but does anyone know if the Maoists are currently in operation between Jiri and Lukla?

Thanks
Lucy

[Boulia]

I suggest your LP guide maybe from some years ago. Maoists asking 'donations' on this section is not a problem now. You may have a few locals try to ask donations for their club, they are trying to get some cash whatever way they can.

i enjoy this part of the trek and would recommend it.

[Landfall38]

LP is way out of date. Check the Trailblazer book (Dec 2008 pub date).

It is correct that fewer are trekking Jiri to Lukla, but that is a bonus to those who do trek this wonderful route.

Bad views? What a silly statement. It is a great trek. Excellent lodges.

Junbesi is definitely our favourite village in greater Khumbu region, from Jiri to base camp.

Unexpectedly, one of our favourite lodges on our Dec 2008 trek was the "Gorkha Lodge" in Jubing. The only open lodge in this sub-tropical village -- doesn't hurt to have sunny warm weather in December; warm enough to wash outside:) -- we at first thought it was a rather basic lodge but found the owners wonderful, the beds comfortable, and the food among the best. Turns out the owner is a local Maoist politician who seems very concerned about looking after the community, social reforms, local health, etc.


Note: the bus now goes past Jiri all the way to Bhandar. However, we prefer to trek from Jiri (happily, the trail does NOT follow the road -- you cross road ~ 3 times)

[Petrus]

We stayed at the same Gorkha lodge last May, really a nice place!

We actually flew in to Lukla and as we had enough time walked out. Not Jiri, but to Shivalaya and took a bus from there.

No maoists in sight, at least not asking for donations.

As a walk-in the Jiri/Shivalaya/Bhandar to Lukla trail is great. Scenery, atmosphere, the feeling of getting there under your own power. Almost empty of trekkers, plenty of lodges.

I have walked the trail three times up, twice down. Always at least one way.

[Lars]

Junbesi is definitely our favourite village in greater Khumbu region,
Junbesi is a very sweet village. Inhabited by Rais and as always with Rai villages
full of flowers and animals, and lovely houses.

The Rai are neither Hindu nor Buddhist but have a spiritual connection with
nature itself. It certainly seems to work well for them.

I met a Japanese old man who had studied the Nepali peoples and he said that
the Rai are probably the "original inhabitants" of Nepal.

I don't like their pig eating but I do like their keeping dogs and cats.

[Landfall38]

Junbesi is a very sweet village. Inhabited by Rais and as always with Rai villages
full of flowers and animals, and lovely houses.

The Rai are neither Hindu nor Buddhist but have a spiritual connection with
nature itself. It certainly seems to work well for them.

I met a Japanese old man who had studied the Nepali peoples and he said that
the Rai are probably the "original inhabitants" of Nepal.

I don't like their pig eating but I do like their keeping dogs and cats.


Lars,

I think you mean "Jubing is a Rai village". Yes, very full of green plants, bananas and flowers.

(Junbesi is Sherpa; and Sherpa also have cats.)

We got to know many Rai villages on our trek to Tumlingtar -- Bung and Gudel being prominent among them. Have I ever told you about the Rai pig outhouse.... (right, I did back in January....)

LF

[Lars]

Lars,
I think you mean "Jubing is a Rai village".

I certainly did. Thanks for spotting my error!


Have I ever told you about the Rai pig outhouse.... (right, I did back in January....) LF
The one in lower Bung?
Yep. Been there, done that!

[Petrus]

If you are planning to do an Everest trek you need 14 days for the basic Lukla-EBC-Lukla thing and 21 days for the longer and better Jiri/Shivalaya-EBC-Lukla trek. If you want to go to both EBC and Gokyo add 3 days.

As you will need some days in Kathmandu before the trek to sort things out and look at the sights, and few days at the end of the trek in case of flight delays (well spent in sightseeing or visit to Chitwan if there are no delays) the total comes to 21 days recommended minimum, one month for a nice long trek & Chitwan visit.

That said I like to mention that last time I stayed 2 months, out of which 52 days trekking and would have liked to stay for longer!

[Escher]

Petrus, the 'person' you replied to was a spambot. Beware of 'people' who have links to other websites in their signatures.

Thanks